Vladimir Putin, who was the major dominant in Russian politics for more than a decade, was sworn at Monday 7th of May as the country's president two months after winning back the job in an election clouded by allegations of widespread fraud.

As Putin said in his inauguration speech:

"We're entering a new stage in our national development. We'll have to address tasks that are of a totally different level and scale. The next few years will define the future of Russia for decades ahead."

About 2,000 people attended the inauguration under tight security, while nearby, police arrested about 120 people protesting against the return of Putin to the presidency, according to the state-run Ria Novosti news service.

Putin held the presidency for eight years before term limits forced him to step down in 2008. He then became prime minister under his hand-picked successor, Dmitry Medvedev.